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Nedra Marie Rooney

Nedra Marie Rooney, 95, of Erie, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2013 at Forestview Health Care Center at Springhill. She was born Oct. 23, 1917 in Kane to the late Edward J. and Alice Retzer Powell. Nedra graduated from Wilcox High School in 1935 where she was salutatorian and received a BS in Education from Villa Maria College in 1960. Previously she had attended Lockhaven Teacher’s College (University) and the University of Alabama. She was an elementary school teacher and had taught in a one-room country school before teaching at Wilcox Public School and the City of Erie School District. Nedra was a sixth grade teacher at Grover Cleveland Grade School until she retired in 1977.Her teaching career lasted a period of 30 years.She was a devoted teacher and loving mother. The family received many comments over the years from previous students about what an outstanding teacher she was and how much she was respected and appreciated.After retiring she lived briefly in Naples, Fla. before returning to Erie.She worked for the U.S. Navy as a naval bombsight inspector during WWII and was one of the first women to drive in her hometown of Wilcox. She enjoyed fashion and was a prolific letter writer. During retirement she enjoyed extensive international travel.She was a member of The Erie Maennerchor, The Aviation Club, The Kahkwa Club, Lake Shore Country Club and The Erie Retired School Teachers Association, The Erie Yacht Club, The Erie Club, East Erie Turner’s Club, and the Saint Vincent Health Center Auxiliary. She was also a State and County member of the PASR. She was a parishioner of St. Peter’s Cathedral.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Robert Patrick Rooney in 1977. She was also preceded in death by her sisters Jean Kostur, Beverly Hull, Fay Weber, Irene O’Rourke and her brothers Robert Lee Powell, Atty. Norbert Powell and Grant Powell.She is survived by two children: daughter Ayrn Weschler of Erie and son M. Shawn Rooney and his wife, Sharon, of Bonita Springs, Fla. and Erie. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Ayrn’s daughter, Tara Weschler of Fuquay-Varina, N.C. and Shawn and Sharon’s children: Audra Rooney of Washington, D.C. and Shane Rooney, Esq. and wife, Teri, of Camp Hill; one great-granddaughter, Ava Rooney, of Camp Hill, also survives Nedra. Many nieces and nephews survive throughout the country.The family would appreciate memorial donations be made in Nedra’s name to The Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th St. Erie, PA 16507.There will be no calling hours per Nedra’s request.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. with Monsignor William E. Biebel officiating. Burial will be private.Burton Funeral Home, 602 West 10th St. is handling the arrangements.Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.